An Ayr athlete has raised £4,740 for Ayrshire Hospice after completing a long-distance running challenge across Scotland.
Anne Noble, a member of Troon Tortoises running club, ran from Gretna Green to John O’Groats throughout July. The fundraiser supported Ayrshire Hospice, where she has been volunteering for the past year.
From Gretna Green to John O’Groats
Noble’s route took her through Dumfries and into her hometown of Ayr, where Ayrshire Hospice is based. She then tackled sections of several well-known long-distance routes, including the Ayrshire Coastal Path, Clyde Coastal Path, West Highland Way, Great Glen Way and John O’Groats Trail.
The challenge combined a personal ambition to explore Scotland on foot with Noble’s experience of the hospice’s work. On her fundraising page, she explained that she had long wanted to undertake a journey through Scotland and had been inspired by adventures such as Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped.
She also said walking through the country created a strong connection with the land, describing it as “a beautiful land”. Having lived in Ayrshire for many years, Noble was aware of the hospice’s impact on people and families during difficult periods.
Support for Ayrshire Hospice
Noble began volunteering for Ayrshire Hospice in July 2025. She said that seeing the charity’s work at close hand had shown her how important donations are, prompting her to raise funds during the running adventure.
Her JustGiving page reached £4,740, with Noble thanking everyone who supported the fundraiser and giving particular thanks to her family.
She said her husband and daughter Amy had provided “unswerving support” throughout the effort. That support included driving, route planning, food, managing other issues to free up her time, preparing for what might be needed next and organising celebratory moments.
Noble also thanked her family for their patience, saying their love and support meant everything to her.
Hospice praises the challenge
Ayrshire Hospice described Noble’s achievement as an “incredible challenge” and thanked her for supporting the organisation both through volunteering and fundraising.
The charity said every penny raised would help it continue offering care and support to families in the community when they need it most.
Noble’s fundraising effort has therefore combined a demanding journey across Scotland with practical support for a hospice serving people and families in Ayrshire. The money remains recorded on her JustGiving fundraising page at £4,740, according to the supplied report.